TunedPort 335

A couple weeks ago, the body restoration on my car started. It's getting a new hood (fiberglass cowl), both fenders, both doors, and both rear quarters. Basically the whole entire body. I did some work to it, took out the grille and GFX..etc, and then sent it to my bodyman. Every panel on this car either had rot (hard to tell in the pics), or extensive bondo which was put on carelessly. In the pics its hard to tell, but the car really looks like crap in person...but that will change.

I will have pics in a few weeks when shes all nice and shiny with the new paintjob! It's gettin painted 81U bright red off a 1998 Trans Am. I will update this thread with progress pics, to show you guys how it can be done.

Hood wasnt latched btw-


Rotted rear quarter-


Really THICK bondo


Now heres the work my bodyman Matt has done...this guy is awesome, I can't wait to show you guys after the car gets finished.





More pics will be coming as more progress is done. You guys can now mark down another thirdgen saved from the junkyards!

85SportCoupeto89RS

Wow that guy is awesome!!!! I cant wait to see the end result.

Timz2882

iTrader: (1)

dude those 1/4 panels didnt look bad at all, i need to replace about every panel on my car, i wouldhave traded you bodies if you were just goin to replace the panels lol

TunedPort 335

LOL, its because I temporarily spray painted the rot so it wouldn't look as bad cruising around and going to car shows. See what I mean, it doesn't look as bad in the pics. In person you would be like holy crap. Both sides of the car were rotting out, the underneaths of the doors are junk...same with the fenders. Drivers side quarter is compeltely juiced really thick and rotting, passenger side was rotting horribly. I originaly bought the car for $250 so I wasn't expecting much.

Here's without the spraypaint-

85SportCoupeto89RS

For 250 bux thats a great deal. Heck I got my 82 Z28 for 50 dollars and the rear quarters have Zero rust. Although the passenger floor boards did.

JimmyG-91Z

That is exactly what I need to do to my car plus my fron wheel wells too, and when I get out of school I'll be able to do it myself. Thats a great job on the 1/4 panel. :hail:

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I would have pieced the 1/4 in a little higher to save a ton of bondo work, but other than that, it looks like it's coming along great. It's going to look great when it's done.

TunedPort 335

Jim if you compare the pics of the cutoff quarter with the pics of the new quarter, you can see how he welded it on higher like you said.

Unless you're talking about if I got a full GM quarter that goes up to the roofline? Those were 500 bucks a peice so I bought the aftermarket ones for $120 each instead. Still should come out good though, he says they fit awesome.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I didn't mean all the way to the roofline, but with a GM quarter you can cut it just slightly below that. Then your bondo line is only the width of the B pillar, and the rest is hidden underneath the rear hatch gasket.

FyreLance

Glad to see it's getting done right!

That's the first time I've ever seen a cutaway rear quarter on a thirdgen like that.

Keep updating us on the progress!

TunedPort 335

Update 11/11/03 -

Quarters are done, rear hatch is done, roof is done. The windsheild was removed and fortunately didn't crack! I bought a 91-92 Z28 high rise rear spoiler, it should look good and will offset the 4" cowl hood. I think it will look great in a week or so when its finished. All that needs to be done now is some work around the windsheild, and then install my new fenders and doors! Then its priming and painting time.

There's some rot on the corner of the floor near the front that will be patched with metal. Other than that it looks pretty solid underneath.


Smoothing out the new quarters- (bondo is very thin BTW)





Here is the rot that will be cutout and patched





I will update this thread as much as possible.

Timz2882

iTrader: (1)

lookin good. how much is all of this costing you if ya dont mind me asking?

TunedPort 335

Approx $3000.

Taking apart the car before I gave it to him saved me alot of money. Taking off thigns like ground effects, lights, take out the interior, spoiler...stuff like that.

Timz2882

iTrader: (1)

nice, now i know how much to save to get my car done.

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

nice progress. I'm your boat right now as well with half the car being replaced. It's a nice feeling....saving that thirdgen from the junkyard.

TunedPort 335

Heck yea man, you're doing a great job with yours.

meridius

your car is gonna be abd *** although I still think that hood would look better on my car and since your painting it all the same color as mine why dont you just give it up

Thirtybird

Thanks for posting this TunedPort355! I may be in for the same treatment in the next year or so it's good to see what's involved!

twiztid dreams

looks like it comin along great man.


i'm considering doin the right rear quarter on the firebird cause of rot around the wheel well, but riht now it to time consumeing of a project.

keep us up dated man

bigals87z28

Looks good so far! All this fix'n up just for me? hehehe I hope that when this is done, I can come out and see it before I go home for winter break. Looking very good man, very good!

PyRo9862

$3000! Wow, they quoted me $2500 for one rear quarter, a front bumper, light bar, and 1 marker light, without any paint. I thinks I need to move to wherever that shop is.

TunedPort 335

That's pretty steep! Find another shop.

Thanks for all the comments guys. Hopefully I can get some more pics of it in a few days, the doors and fenders should be on by then. I forgot to say that I am shaving the antenna also, which should clean things up a bit.

X86TRANSAMWS6X

looks good man, i need to do the same to my t/a. but probably not anytime soon because i'm broke. any donations would be helpfull! lol j/k BTW i saved my car from the boneyard 2!

RMK

335,

This is a good thread, thak you. With regards to the picture of the door, it that the origional door that was removed and had the rust removed? I'm just wondering what you are doing to prepare the door for painting so that rust doesn't come back. I'm thinking about a project like this next year if my new garage goes ahead.

Thanks again

Robert

ddn69

ya that looks good. When you get the final project post some pix! Cant wait to see.

TunedPort 335

The pictures of the door are of my "new" door. He sanded down those areas which had little dings. He also has to weld the old ground effects holes, and drill the new holes lower...so my Camaro ground effects will fit.

85_ZED28

cant wait to see the finished result!

nice vids too

sittincamaro

hehe i got my camaro for 125 and it looks almost as good as that i am also restoring mine. im doing the work my self but the only part i need to replace is that damn battery tray..... none of the guys at the swap meet had em said it was "too new" so if anyone knows where i can get a new tray ( the metal peice that is tack welded to the ebay/inner fender) let me know id appriciate it. good luck with the car and get those pics!

RMK

Is he using anything on the bare metal to try and prevent the rust from comming back like POR 15 or is he just putting the primer straight on?

GarageToys

iTrader: (6)

If you bought aftermarket fenders, you might not have to shave the antenna. I bought an aftermarket RF fender for my Firebird & there is no antenna hole in it. Saved me some work.

BTW: Your sig pic makes it look like you're smokin the front tires. That thing's not Honda powered is it???

bigals87z28

AHAHAHAH that was a good one! He converted it to FWD using V-TECHK POWER!!!

TunedPort 335

He is going to cutout that area and weld in new metal. But yes I am going to POR 15 the undercarraige, hopefully this winter!

And no its not VTEC powered, lol.

Andy Fanshawe

iTrader: (1)

Any more photos for us?

Andy.

87z28camaro

very nice work, looks like a lot of work, but when ur workin with a thirdgen its always fun, well most of the time, when ur not screwin anything up anyways , im gonna restore mine totally just for show and im not gonna drive it daily, just a weekend/show car, but i have to wait till after the summer, i have her in the garage right now, so its gonna be a long time before i drive it again lol, im takin all my money ig et this summer for what i get from basic training this summer, which this will only cover a little of it, so my car is gonna be a long project, i hope when u get the finish product when ur car is done that u are completely satisfied and not thinkin why the hell did i do that , i hate when that happens, i cant wait to see ur car all done!!! keep us updated!

@ZZKKER

iTrader: (1)

335, what kind of paint are they using on your car (brand and line). because 3000 is cheap for a complete paint job, and really cheap for the extent of body work they are doing, even though you took it apart. my car is half way done, i have about 200 hours in it so far in take apart and striping down to bare metal (to many coats of old paint). i am lucky because i am an electronics tech at a body shop so i get cut great deals on supplies, parts and labor. i do what i can, i shaved my antenna (used part of a bad fender that matched the curve from a different make) and welded the patch from behind and used body filler to smooth it out. i also have the hole in the front drivers floor like yours, it is common, almost every car in the bad weather belt has somthing similar to that. i am using 22 gauge sheet metal to replace what i cut out, to replicate the original floor. also, rust in the wheel wells are common, even mine has some small pinholes (looked fine untill i started striping). all in all, the total resto is the way to go, the finished product is better than a tape and paint, and you know it was done right the first time.

just think about driving it when it is done and that makes shelling out the big bucks not so hard (i know).

keep us posted.

thanks for not trashing another maro.

anthony

TunedPort 335

No new pics as of yet. Theres been a holdup, the bar that holds the headlight buckets needs to be replaced... so thats another 50-60 bucks. But as of right now, the rear deck is done, quarters and roof are done, doors and fenders are done, metal has been patched in on the floors, and a new peice of metal was welded in the back (the one that holds up the bumper cover).

As for paint, it was going to be PPG...but the guy has been having problems with their quality. I forget what paint he is going to use, but I'll make sure I ask him next time I see him. Reason why its so cheap is because hes trying to get his new business started off, but eventually he will start raising prices as he gets more guys to help him.

MaineIrocer

looks great cant wait to see final product... replacing panels sukks.. I am to pretty much replace everything on my car when i got it....

ES87iroc

Looking good! Like Jim was saying, I would have done the splice in the b-pillar, but if that is the way your guy wanted to do it, he is the one who has to do all the body work so it's his call. It would have saved him a bunch of time the other way, but it looks like he knows what he is doing so I would think you would be fine. Keep the pics coming!

@ZZKKER

iTrader: (1)

the paint we use at the shop is ppg, but we have not had any problems with quality, must be a problem in that area. the line of base coat we are using is the deltron 2000 series. it is the 2nd best they make, and we have not had any problems with it. the clear coat is concept 2000 and it is some good ****. when wet sanded right, the finish is deep and the reflection is about a perfect as it can get.

dupont also makes a good base/clear. usually if a bodyshop is not using ppg, it is using dupont. either way, your car will look a lot better than most of the rehash jobs (tape and paint) on the boards, going that extra man hour to eliminate those tape and blend lines are well worth it in fit and finish.

thanks
anthony

TunedPort 335

Update 12-30-03.

Car is primed, should be finished by next week. I needed to install a new headlight bucket assembly (car was previously hit and it was broken). Floors are patched, the peice that holds up my rear bumper is fixed with new metal, and the dent in my urethane nose has been fixed.

I got a 91-92 Z28 grill for Xmas, which will be painted body color and the bowtie will be going "silver" to match my silver Z28 emblems. Same with the bowties that are going on the side of the cowl. A new nose emblem will be installed also. Here are the pics-



1991-92 Z28 spoiler

X86TRANSAMWS6X

lookin good!!

Derth Deboblo

Like said above, lookin great! From the pics it looks like your bodyman has some talent! I also just rescued a '91 Bird outta the yard for a paultry $650. Great body overall, just needs a nose, and both fenders (DS fender is ok, but can get a good set cheap). I'll have to post pics this week if I can borrow a digi cam. Anyways, Great job on the 'maro!

TunedPort 335

Update 10-31-03

Car has been fully edged, door jams and everything. Underside of the hood is pretty close to finished. Shouldn't be long now that the car will be done.

FyreLance

Looking GREAT.

:hail:

z28monster

iTrader: (1)

simply awsome how much is this all costing you again? it looks like its going to look bad *** have you thought about a z28 high rise spoiler to go along with that hood not sure if you already have one or not. i think camaros with cowl hoods and t tops look so much more bad *** with the z28 high rise spoiler on the back of them it in a way completes the look.:hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

87z28camaro

wow, that is lookin awesome, i cant wait to see the finished projects, looks like ur bodyman is really taking his time with things, which is a good deal, btw, i think he said all of this is costing him 3,000,

TunedPort 335

Look up a few posts. I bought a 91-92 Z28 hi rise spoiler I think it will compliment my rather large cowl hood nicely. ( I really didn't want a 4", but I loved the shape and style of it...and it will allow me room for future engine combos)

85maroz28

Car is coming together amazingly good. I really like the work your body man has done I am pretty impressed! Can't wait to see the finished product!

meridius

that is looking like its coming along really nice there, that color looks really familliar though:hail:

85maroz28

Need to bring this topic back to the top. I can't wait to see the finished product!:hail: